Corn-planter.



No. 700,73! 1 Patented May 27, I902.

G. W. BRUNTON.

CORN PLANTEB.

(Application filed se tl 24. 1900. Mode") 4 Sheets-Sheet I,

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N0. 700,73l. Patentsd May 27, I902. G. W. BRUNTON.

CORN PLANTER.

(Application filed Sept. 24. 1900.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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No. 700,731. I -Paienfed May 27, I902. a! w. BRUNTON;

CORN PLANTEB.

(Applia-tion filed Sept. 24. 1900. (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shoot 4.

WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

GEORGE \V. BRUNTON, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

CORN-PLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,731, dated May 27, 1902.

Application filed September 24, 1900. Serial No. 30,890. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. BRUNTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Planters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying'drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and usefulimprovements in planters particularly designed for planting corn.

The general object of my invention is to provide a rigid frame structure and draft-pole or tongue to which is connected seed-dropping mechanism, which may be elevated and lowered independently of said frame structure and pole.

Another object of my invention is to provide spring supporting-bars for the seed-dropping portion of the machine, whereby the machine will more readily adapt itself to uneven places in the soil, so that the shoes will run into the soil substantially the same depth in all of such places.

Another object of my invention is to provide release mechanism which may beeperated from the drivers seat for releasing a vation of the same; Fig. 3, a detail sectional view on the line a; w of Fig. 6; Fig. 4, a sectional view taken on the line y y of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5, a detail view of one of the grain-hoppers, together with the operating mechanism therefor, a portion of which is in sectionto facilitate illustration; Fig.6, a plan view of one of the hoppers with the cover removed; Fig. 7, a detailside elevation of the checkrow dropper mechanism; Fig. 8, an end view of the same; Fig. 9, a plan view of what is shown in Figs. 7 and 8; Fig. 10, a detail view,

I with parts in section, illustrating a hand device for operating the dropper-shaft; Fig. 11, an edge view of what is shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12, a detail view of a yielding bearing for the main supporting or operating shaft; and Fig. 13, a detail View, with parts in section, of the clutch mechanism.

The letter A represents a pair of groundwheels mounted on a main axle or shaft B, which carries a frame structure 0. Upon the frame structure is mounted a seat D, in the usual or any approved manner, at or near its rear end, while upon its forward end is carried a pole or tongue E, secured to the respective cross-bars F and G of the frame structure. A pair of braces H are connected at one end to the cross-bar G and at their other end to the cross-bar F and act to brace the cross-bar F, so that it will more readily sustain the pulling strain of the seed-dropping mechanism hereinafter referred to. Upon the frame structure 0 is also mounted a pair of brackets H,which are adapted to receive the ends of a rock-shaft I. This rock-shaft carries a pair of arms J and K, which project from one side thereof, as also a foot-lever L, extending from the opposite side thereof, and a hand-lever M, the lat ter of which carries a detent O and is adapted to engage with a locking-segment P at one side of one of the brackets H. The arms J and K engage with spring-bars Q, which act to support the dropper mechanism, as will hereinafter appear. The forward ends of these spring-bars are fixedly connected with the cross-bar F. By referring to Figs. 2 and 4 particularly it will be observed that to the under side of each of these spring-bars is attached a liftingbar R, which extends beneath a valve-operating shaft S, carried by the dropper mechanism, and is turned upward at its forward end and abuts against the bar X,*in which position it is secured by means of a bolt a, passing through the bar, as also a bracket Z, hereinafter referred to.

Referring now particularly to the dropper IOU enlarged at its lower end to constitute a furrow-opener and at its upper end is connected with a seedbox W, the construction being in duplicate at each side of the machine. These seedboxes are connected with each other by means of a dropper-shaft X, which extends through bearings Y, projecting downward from each box, and also by means of a rec tangular bar X, to which the boots-are bolted. The spring-bars Q extend over the rectangular bar X and are rigidly secured thereto by means of brackets Z, which are also rigidly secured to the spring-bars by bolts 1). By this means the rectangular bar X is supported, as also the seed boxes or receptacles W. Upon the dropper shaft beneath the seed-receptacles is mounted a bevel-gear 2, one for each receptacle. These bevel-gears engage with bevel-gears 3 on the under side of dropperdisks 4 of any approved construction. The bevel-gears 2 are so arranged on the shaft as to drive both dropper-disks in the same direction, so that they will both discharge the grain from the grain-receptacles W at the same time through the dropper-plates in amanner well known.

Referring again to the valve operating shaft S, it will be seen that it is carried in projections 4, extending from the boots V. This shaft is adapted to rock or partially rotate in its bearings. From Figs. 2 and 3 particularly it will be seen that this Valve-operating shaft is'square. This is for the purpose of more readily attaching to such bar clips 5, which are fixedly clamped thereto by means of bolts 6. There is one of these clips near each end of the bar. To the outer end of each of these clips is connected one end of a link 7, while its other end is connected with a valve 8, pivotally supported in the boot V. I will now refer to the manner in which the valve-operating shaft is made to rock. From Fig. 10 particularly it will be seen that to such shaft is clamped an arm 9. This arm extends beneath a disk 10, mounted on the dropper-shaft X. This disk carries lugs or projections 11, there being four in number, which are adapted to contact with the arm 9 to rock it downward. As soon as one of these lugs has passed out of engagement with the arm said arm is again thrown into engagement with the disk 10 by means of a pair of springs 12, one end of each of which is secured to clamps 13, while the other end of each of these springs is secured to lugs.14=, extending from the rear of the respective boots. As the shaft S is rocked the valve 8 in each boot is opened and closed. This permits the grain to drop into the furrow formed by the furrow-opener from the passage 15, which receives the grain through the dropper-plate, it being understood that the dropper-plate is so timed with respect to the valves that the grain is dropped into the passage 15 through the dropper-plate and rests upon the valve 8 until the valve 8 is rocked by the rock-shaft in the manner above de scribed. Projecting from one side of the disk 10 may be seen four pins 16, there being as many pins as there are lugs 11. These pins are adapted to be engaged by a hand dropper device, hereinafter described, so that when such device is operated the droppershaft X is rotated in order that the grain may pass from the grain-receptacles into the boot or delivery-spout.

Referring now to the mechanism for oper ating the dropper-shaft by the means of a check-row wire, it will be seen that on each side of -the machine adjacent to the grain-receptacles is mounted an iron bracket 17, which is screwed or otherwise secured to an arm 18, projecting forward from the boot V near its upper end. This bracket hasa wheelsupport 19, pivotally connected therewith, as shown at 20. (See Figs. 2 and 7 particularly.) This wheel-support carries a pair of rotatable wheels or pulleys 21, one at each end. A check-row wire, as indicated at 22 in dotted lines in Fig. 2, is adapted to pass over the pulleys or wheels 21 when the wheels are in the position indicated in Fig. 7. A trip-catch 23, pivoted upon the bracket 17, as shown at v24, acts to engage with the wheel-support to hold it in an elevatedposition, as shown in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive. connected a rope 25, which extends to near the operators seat within convenient reach of the operator. By pulling the rope the tripcatch is disengaged from the wheel-support and such wheel-support is allowed to turn downward to the position indicated indotted lines in Fig. 8. This will permitthe check row wire to be quickly disengaged from the machine, so that the dropper-shaft will not be operated thereby. A spring 26 normally acts to return the trip-catch into, the proper position for it to again engage with the wheelsupport, when such support is again thrown upward by taking hold of it and raising it. Any ordinary check-row wire may be employed. Such check-row wire when riding over .the pulleys or wheels 21 also passes through the bifurcated lever 27, such lever being pivoted to the bracket at 28. To the To this trip-catch is ICC lower end of the lever is pivotally-connected This will cause the pawl 31 through the link 29 to act upon the teeth 11, extending from the disk 10, to partially rotate the droppershaft. As soon as this is acomplished and the knot 34: slips past the bifurcated lever a spring 36, one end of which is secured to the bracket 17 and the other end of which is secured to the lower end of the bifurcated lever, acts to return such lever to its full-line position, as indicated in Fig. '7. This also returns the pawl 31 to its full-line position, so that as the bifurcated lever is again operated by another. knot or ball on the check-row wire the pawl 31 again engages with another one of the teeth or projections 11 to further rotate the disk 10 and dropper-shaft. In 'order that there may be some slight play 011 the lever when the check-row wire engages such lever, it will be observed that in the lever is formed a ball-and-socket joint, as shown at 37. This permits a slight yielding of the lever before the dropper-shaft is actually operated, although the pawl 31 is brought snugly into contact with one of the teeth or projections, so that there is no sudden jerk, as it were, acting upon the dropper-shaft the instant the check-row wire contacts with the bifurcated lever. In order that the checkrow wire may not jump out of the pulleys or wheels when the machine is going over the field, it will be observed that the bracket 17 has extensions 39 at its upper end, which extend over the wheels or pulleys, so that it is impossible for the check-row wire to become disengaged from'the wheels or pulleys until after the trip-catch is disconnected from the wheel-support, when thewheel-support will drop to its dotted-line position, as shown in Fig. 8, as above described.

Should it be desired to operate the machine by hand, it will be seen that to the frame structure is secured a support 40, to which is pivoted a bell-crank hand operating-lever 41. To this operating-lever is pivoted a ratchetarm 42, which is adapted to engage with-one of the pins 16 at a time. The ratchet-arm 42 also carries another ratchet-arm 43, which is pivoted thereto and which also is adapted to engage with one of the pins 16. As the hand-lever 41 is operated in one direction the ratchet 42, acting on one of the pins 16, serves to partially rotate the disk 10, together with the dropper-shaft X. Upon moving the hand operating-shaft in the opposite direction the ratchet 43, acting on one of the pins 16, also serves to partially rotate the droppershaft in the same direction. Thus with my organization I am enabled to operate the dropper-shaft in one direction both by a forward and a backward movement of the bellcrank: operating-lever.

I -will now refer to the manner in which the dropper shaft may be constantly rotated, whereby the machine maysow in drills'instead of in hills.- From Figs; 1 and 2 particularly it will be observed that upon the main shaft is mounted a pair of clutch members 44 and 45, respectively. The clutch member 45 is loose upon the shaft and, is held in engagement with the clutch member 44 by means of a spring 46, one end ofwhich abuts against the clutch member 45 and the other end against a collar 47, keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft. Apair of bearings 48, Fig. 13, extend beneath the main frame 0, one on each side of the main axle B. In these hearings is mounted a shaft 49, which carries a pair of camsarms 5O 51.. These cam-arms are adapted to bear against a sprocket-wheel 52, securedto the clutch member 45, so as to move the sprocket-wheel sid ewise, as also the clutch member 45. This operation disengages the clutch member 45 from the clutch member 44. In order that the cam-arms may be operated, I provide a bar 54, which is bolted to a lateral extension of the cam-arm 51. I This bar extends beneath the-foot-lever L, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) so that as the footlever is pressed downward a lug 55, projecting from the foot lever, strikes the top of the bar 54 and acts to depress such bar, thereby operating the shaft 49 and cam-arms 50 and 51. A sprocketchain 56 passes over the ratchet-wheel 52 and also over a sprocket-wheel 57, mounted on the main dropper-shaft X. The sprocketchain is employed where the dropper-shaft is desired to rotate continuously, so that the machine will sow the seed in drills instead of planting it in hills, as is the case where, it is operated by hand or by the check-rowwire. When it is desired to sow the seed in hills, the driving. connection is interrupted either by disconnecting the clutchmembers or by removing the chain from the machine entirely.

In order that the sprocket-chain may not receive severe shocks, such as it mightreceive when the dropper mechanism dropped into a depression or hole, it will be observed from Figs. 2 and 12 particularly that the main shaft is mounted in yielding bearings 58, which are held in place by means of springs 59. As the chain is drawn taut the spring 59 yields, so that the main aXleB may move in the bearing toward the dropper mechanism. This will compensate for any movement of the dropper-shaftand will prevent the sprocket-chain from becoming too taut.

. I will now describe the operation of my improved organization. The hoppers or grainreceptacles W are vfilled with grain and the operator lowers the dropper mechanism by means of the hand-lever M, so that the shoes T come into contact with the ground and the furrow-openers form a furrow therein. If a check-row wire is used, such check-row wire acts to operate the dropper-shaft, so that the dropper-disks inthe hopper are rotated whenever the dropper-shaft is rotated. When this takes place,'as much grain falls into the boot and'upon the valve 8 as can pass through one of the usual openings 60 in the disk when such opening comes over the upper end of the boot. At the same time the grain is held in the boot by the valve 8 until the valve-operating shaft S is partially rotated by means of.the arm 9 coming in contact with the projections 11, extending fromthe disk 10 on the droppershaft X. The instant the arm 9 is operated the valve 8 is swung backward and down- 61 (see Fig. 1) may take hold of the bell-crank lever 4.1 and operate the pawls 42 and 43, which engage with pins 16, projecting from the disk 10, mounted on the dropper-shaft,so that the dropper-shaft may be rotated in the same direction for every backward and forward movement of the bell-crank lever 41.'

In this manner the grain is dropped into the furrow in the same manner as just described.

In some instances it is desirable to sow the grain in drills instead of planting it in hills, as is the case where the dropper-shaft is operated at regular intervals. This is accomplished by means of the sprocket-chain 56, which connects the sprocket-wheels 52 and 57 together, the latter being mounted on the dropper-shaft X. The sprocket-chain is continuously operated by means of its connection with the main driving-axle, and consequently the dropper-shaft X is also constantly rotated, so that the grain is continuously falling into the furrow. Where the machine is desired for planting in hills, the sprocketchain 56 may be removed. It will also be ob-. served that to the frame structure 0 is bolted or otherwise secured a chain-tightener 63, which normally presses upon the chain to hold it taut. A spring 64 permits the lower end of the chain-tightener to .yield, particularly when the dropper mechanism drops into a depression 'in the field. I

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and-desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a corn-planter, the combination, with a main frame structure provided with supporting and covering wheels, of a draft-pole rigidly secured to said frame structure, an auxiliary frame carrying f urrow-openin g and seed-dropping devices and pivotally connected at its front end with the frame structure, a lever mounted on the frame structure, and connecting means between said lever and the auxiliaryframe for raising and lowering .said auxiliary frame, said connecting means comprising a spring, substantially as described.

2. In a corn-planter, the combination with a pair of wheels, of a main shaft mounted therein, a frame structure carried by said main shaft, a tongue fixedly connected with said frame structure, a frame carrying dropper mechanism and pivoted at its forward end to said frame structure, a spring connected with said frame structure at its forward end, a pivoted bar carried bysaid frame structure, a lever connected with said bar, a link connected with said spring and with said bar,

whereby when said lever is raised and lowered said spring isalso raised and lowered; and means for fixedly connecting said dropper-mechanism frame with said spring, all substantially as shown and described.

3. In a corn-planter, the combination with supporting-wheels, of an axle rotated by said supporting-wheels,'a frame structure mounted on said axle havingapole fixedly connected therewith, a frame carrying dropper mechanism and pivoted at its forward end to said frame structure, a pair of spring-bars, one end of each of which is also secured to said frame structure, means for fixedly connect ing said spring-bars with said dropper-mechanism frame, and adjustable meansfor connecting the inner ends of said spring-bars with said frame structure, whereby said dropper mechanism may also be adjusted, all substantially as shown and described.

4. In acorn-planter, the combination with a pair of supporting and driving wheels, of a main shaft mounted in said wheels and oper-' ated thereby, aframe structure supported by said shaft, a pivoted cross-bar also supported by said shaft having a pair of arms extending forward therefrom, and a foot-lever extend: ing backward therefrom, a frame carrying dropper mechanism and pivoted at its forward end to, said frame structure, apair of springs connected .with said frame structure at their forward ends, means for rigidly connecting said dropper-mechanism frame with said springs, a pair of links connected with the respective spring-bars and also with the respective arms, and a hand-lever also connected with said cross-bar, whereby said springbars may be raised and lowered by hand, as also by foot-power, all substantially as shown and described.

5. In a corn-planter, the combination with a frame structure, of a pair of spring-bars connected thereto at their forward ends, a frame carrying dropper mechanism and pivoted to said frame structure atits forward end, means for rigidly connecting said dropper-mechanism frame with said spring-bars, a droppershaft and a valve-operating shaft carried by said dropper mechanism, means for operating said dropper-shaft, means carried by said dropper-shaft for operating said valve-operating shaft, and ahand-lever connected with said spring-bars for elevating and lowering said dropper-mechanism frame, all substantiallyas shown and described.

6. In a corn-planter, the combination, with a main frame structure, provided with a rotating axle having supporting and covering wheels, and a'draft-pole rigidly secured to said frame structure, of an auxiliary frame provided with furrow-opening and seed-dropping devices and pivotally connected at its front end to the main frame structure, means mounted on the main frame structure for raising and lowering said auxiliary frame, check-row and hand operating devices carried by the auxiliary frame for actuating the seed-dropping mechanism, connecting mechloo anism between the main axle and the seeddropping mechanism whereby the latter may be operated from the former, and means for throwing said connecting mechanism into and out of operation, substantially as described.

7. In a corn-planter, the combination with a dropper-shaft, of a lever, means for connecting said lever with said dropper-shaft to operate said shaft in one direction, said lever having a ball-and-socket joint therein and a bifurcated end, a pair of rollers, a check-row wire adapted to pass over said rollers and through the bifurcated end of said lever, and means for swinging said rollers and said bifurcated lever out of contact with said checkrow wire, all substantially as shown and described.

8. In a corn-planter, the combination with dropper mechanism,a dropper-shaft rotatably mounted therein, a lever pivotally supported thereby, said lever having its upper end bifurcated, a ball-andsocket joint in said bifurcated lever, whereby said bifurcated end may rotate, a pivoted frame structure, a pair of rollers. carried thereby, a check-row wire adapted to pass over said rollers and through the bifurcated end of said lever, and means for holding said roller-frame in wire-supporting position and for releasing said rollerframe, whereby said rollers will swing out of wire-supporting position, at the same time the bifurcated end of said lever rotating to also release said check-row wire, all substantially as shown and described.

9.' In a corn-planter, the combination with a dropper mechanism, of a check-row device mounted at each end of said dropper mechanism, a pivoted bifurcated lever carried by said check-row device-havin g a ball-and-socket joint therein, a roller-frame pivoted to said check-row device, a pair of rollers carried thereby, a check-row wire adapted to extend over said rollers and be supported thereby and extend through the bifurcated end of said lever, a trip device for holding said rollerframe in position for said wheels to support said wire and for releasing said roller-frame, whereby said rollers, as also said bifurcated lever, disengage from said'check-row wire, said lever being operated in one direction by said check-row wire, and a spring for operating said lever in the opposite direction, all substantially as shown and described.

10. In acorn-planter, the combination, with a main frame structure provided with longitudinally-slotted bearings, of supporting and covering wheels provided with a rotating axle mounted in said bearings, an auxiliary frame carrying furrow-opening and seed-dropping devices and pivoted at its front end to the main frame structure, and operating mechanism connecting said seed-dropping devices and the axle, the said axle being mounted to yield longitudinally in its bearings, and springs for returning said axle to its normal position, substantially as described.

11. In a corn-planter, the combination with a pair of carrying-wheels having a main axle mounted therein and adapted to rotate therewith, of a frame structure having yieldable bearings within which said main axle is mounted, dropper mechanism pivoted to said frame structure, a dropper-shaft carried by said dropper mechanism, a sprocket-wheel mounted thereon, a sprocket-wheel mounted on said main axle, a sprocket-chain for connecting said sprocket-wheels with each other, said bearings yielding to permit said dropper mechanism to also yield without unduly stretching said sprocket-chain, all substantially as shown and described.

12. In a corn-planter, the combination with a pair of carrying-wheels having a main axle mounted therein, a frame structure mounted on said axle, a pivoted shaft carried by said frame structure, a pair of arms projecting from said shaft in a forward direction, and a foot-lever projecting from said shaft in a rearward direction, a hand-lever secured to said pivoted shaft, a toothed segment, a pawl carried by said hand device engaging with said toothed segment for holding said hand device in any desired position, whereby said pivoted bar is held in any desired position, dropper mechanism, a pair of spring-bars secured to said frame structure at one end and connected with said arms at their other ends, and means for rigidly connecting said dropper-shaft with said spring-bars,whereby when said foot-lever and said hand-lever are operated said dropper mechanism is elevated or lowered, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE W. BRUNTON.

Witnesses:

B. BLACKBURN ESTERLINE, W. M. MCNAIR. 

